Art Garfunkel/Tokyo,Japan 2014

Five years after the reunited Simon & Garfunkel came to Japan, Art Garfunkel’s latest Tokyo performance has arrived. This work was recorded at Shibuya Public Hall on December 10, 2014. Of course, it is completely recorded with the latest equipment, digital ultra-high quality audience recording. When you play this work, you will hear the “angel’s singing voice” at 73 years old. The voice, backed by only one acoustic guitar, has become even gentler with age, quietly and gently filling the space of Shibuya Public Hall. While clear like an official live album, the reverberation gently envelops the core of the voice. The space in Shibuya Public Hall and the chest are synchronized, and the emotion spreads gradually… It is a rich and beautiful sound world that only the latest audience recording can deliver. Art has also become completely accustomed to live performances in Japan, and the relaxed atmosphere is really good. He performed “A Heart In New York” while laughing in Japanese, saying “That’s right… salmon roe, conger eel, eel, sea urchin!”, and it made us happy to see how much he enjoyed himself. Yes, the one singing here is not an “angel that came down” but an “angel that is by his side”. What’s even more heartwarming is the reading of his poems with the help of his translator, Kyoko-san (?). He talks about his memories of New York in the 1960s, his divorce, his happiness with his family, his gratitude to everyone, and his belief in singing… His gentle yet realistic words seem to embrace the lives of those of us who have loved Art and his music. Another wonderful Christmas present was his duet with his son, Arthur Jr. After singing the Everly Brothers’ “Let It Be Me” and “Take A Message To Mary” in beautiful father-son harmony, Arthur Jr. sings “Wednesday Morning, 3 A.M.” and “Smile”. The audience responded with thunderous applause to the beautifully inherited “angelic singing voice”. The only disappointing thing about this work is that the applause is a little over-peaked. The reason why this work was not made into a press CD is because I wanted to deliver it to everyone as soon as possible, but another reason is that I was unsure about the applause sound between songs. Of course, it is a Japanese performance where people listen quietly, so it has nothing to do with singing or guitar… Let’s get back to the concert. Arthur Jr. left the stage once after four songs, and the venue returned to the world of art. He warmed up the venue with Simon & Garfunkel’s hit songs, while reciting poetry. In “Bright Eyes,” the episode where he sang to a cow is heartwarming, but the transition from there to a serious content about life and death pierces the heart. Every time a famous song engraved in my memory is performed, the feeling that the end is approaching along with the joy increases even more loneliness. Arthur Jr. appeared again for the encore songs “Feelin’ Groovy” and “Devoted To You”. The show closed with “Now I Lay Me Down To Sleep”, where every word seemed to be savored. I’ve been holding back the words “I feel like I’m going to cry” up until this point. I was afraid that saying it would sound corny. But actually, as I was listening to it while writing, I couldn’t bear it many times. It’s a wonderful recording that allows you to immerse yourself in the beautiful music and gentle singing voice. The joy and the sadness of “wanting to see Art again”. Hoping that this wish will come true, I will now deliver it to you in the form of a CD that can be listened to over and over again. Live at Shibuya Kokaido, Tokyo, Japan 10th December 2014 TRULY PERFECT SOUND Disc 1(38:00) 1. Intro 2. And So It Goes 3. The Boxer 4. Perfect Moment 5. A Heart In New York 6. All I Know 6. A Poem On The Underground Wall 7. Scarborough Fair 9. 3 Different Stages Of Fail #1 10. Quiet Nights Of Quiet Stars 11. Side Of A Hill 12. Someone To Watch Over Me 13. For Emily, Whenever I May Find Her Disc 2(56:30) 1. Intro 2. April Come She Will 3. Real Emotional Girl 4. Let It Be Me (with Arthur Jr.) 5. Take A Message To Mary (with Arthur Jr.) 6. Wednesday Morning, 3 A.M. (Arthur Jr.) 7. Smile (Arthur Jr.) 8. Homeward Bound 9. 3 Different Stages Of Fail #2 10. Bright Eyes 11. 3 Different Stages Of Fail #3 12. 99 Miles From LA 13. The Sound Of Silence 14. Kathy’s Song 15. Bridge Over Trouble Water 16. Feelin’ Groovy (with Arthur Jr.) 17. Devoted To You (with Arthur Jr.) 18. Now I Lay Me Down To Sleep